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LATE GOAL RUINS BURNS' SWANSONG

A goal with the last kick of the match has seen Sydney FC beat Perth Glory 2-1 in Jacob Burns’ final game in football. A stunning strike from Terry Antonis on 38 minutes had given the hosts the lead, but Rostyn Griffiths levelled in first half stoppage time.

A goal with the last kick of the match has seen Sydney FC beat Perth Glory 2-1 in Jacob Burns- final game in football. A stunning strike from Terry Antonis on 38 minutes had given the hosts the lead, but Rostyn Griffiths levelled in first half stoppage time.

The Glory dominated possession and created a number of chances in the second half, but in the final minutes of stoppage time West Australian-born Richard Garcia fired home to seal a finals spot for Frank Farina-s side and leave the Glory in eighth spot on the final league table.

“I can-t fault the desire of the boys tonight, we tried our hardest to come out here and upset Sydney, but full credit to them they pinched one at the end and reach the finals,” said an emotional Burns after the final whistle.

“I've had no regrets in my career, I've been back for five years, had three final series-, and very proud of my time at the club.

“I've enjoyed giving something back to the A-League, it was always on my mind when I went over to Europe for ten years, and to see the A-League grow has been an absolute pleasure.”

Newcastle Jets were sweating on the result of the game, hoping the Glory could beat Sydney by two clear goals and edge the harbour city side out of the finals series. The home team went into the game unchanged from the side that beat Wellington Phoenix last week, while Kenny Lowe made one change to his side that beat Central Coast Mariners last week, with Matthew Davies replacing the injured Joshua Risdon.

It was a quiet opening to the game on the patchwork quilt looking playing surface, but the first to threaten were the Glory. Griffiths was given far too much room in the middle of the park, and his through ball sent Chris Harold into the penalty area, his low shot beat Vedran Janetovic, but drifted inches past the far post.

Sydney-s marquee player Alessandro Del Piero then tested Glory keeper Jack Duncan, but the Glory custodian saved low, before the Italian-s curling free kick from the edge of the penalty on 22 minutes flew over the top.

Burns then picked up a yellow card on the half hour, and moments later the skipper fired wide after a great run by Davies on the right. William Gallas was outstanding, and his reading of the game stopped many Sydney forward movements, but there was little he could do, or any other Glory player, when Sydney hit the front on 38 minutes.

There looked little danger when Del Piero picked the ball up in the middle of the park and fed Antonis, who fired home superbly from 25-yards, giving Duncan no chance.

They almost doubled their lead on 44 minutes, Del Piero played in Sebastian Ryall on the right, his shot was well saved by Duncan, and Gallas was alert to clear the rebound.

Then in the final minutes of first half stoppage time the Glory levelled. Nebojsa Marinkovic-s corner caused problems in the penalty area and Sydney keeper Janjetovic missed the ball, and Griffiths- fired home at the back post, to send the sides to the break all square.

Glory keeper Duncan produced a stunning reaction save to deny Del Piero-s close-range shot early in the second half, while Sidnei-s curling cross-shot drifted wide.

It was the Glory dominating possession and the Sydney fans were getting restless, and there were a huge sigh of relief when Michael Thwaite-s shot flew just wide of the target on the hour.

Burns- then played in Harold down the right of the penalty area, the striker reached the bye-line and crossed into the penalty area, but the alert Sasa Ognenovski cleared the danger.

Both sides had chances as the game opened up, as players tired on a heavy pitch that was not up to A-League standards. Glory second half substitute Darvydas Sernas- curling shot whistled inches past the far post on 76 minutes, and moments later Duncan produced another great save to deny Milos Dimitrijevic low shot.

In the first minute of stoppage time the Glory had a penalty claim turn down. McGarry burst into the penalty area on the left and his cross hit the arm of a Sydney defender but referee Lucien Laverdure waved away the Glory-s protests.

It looked like a hard fought point was a reward for Burns- swansong but with the final shot of the match Sydney won it. Del Piero threaded the ball into Garcia, who beat the offside trap and finished clinically past Duncan to win the game for the home side.

It was a bitter blow for the Glory, and on possession they deserved something from the game, and it was a bitter blow for Burns, whose stellar career came to an end on a disappointing note - Thanks for the memories Jacob!!!!!!!